RACE RELATIONS IN NET MEXICO. 


In connection with the studies of the Commission on International and 
Interracial Factors in the Mexican problem in the Southwest, Superintendent Donald— 
son of Menaul School. Alouguesque, has secured trenty-seven full and careful re~ 
piles to 2 questionneizve he prepared referring directly to the Spanish-American 
native-born inhabitants of New Mexico and Colorado as as crs mag KG from the Mex~ 
ican immigrant, These revlies came from some of these Spanish Americans, from 
Anglo-Americans long time resident nike New Moxico,and from missionarics whose ex- 
perience hed been largely with this group. 

4 very considerable provortion of the povulation of New Mexico and 
north eastcrn Colorado are Spenish-America ns, the descendants of those who pushed 
across the Rio Grande and settled in the midst of the hostile Indian country long 
before this territory was detached from Old Mexico. ‘They loft Mexico to be free 
from the oppression of the great land omers, vreferring tho struggle with Apaches 
and Mavajys for land and a hume to the condition of practical peonage wnich they 
must accent if they remeined aftcr the loss of the communal holdings cf their 
villages. Gradually even in this now country they wore forced off the richest val~ 
ley lands and into the mountains where thoy maintain a simple village life,poor 
but independent, 

For more than thirty years me needs of these people have been a concern 
of several mission boards. Sut tho advance of the typical Amcrican business and 
agriculturel life into this territory has revealed a social problem of racial ad- 
justment as well as a missionsry problem, Missionzry workers are studying this 
social problem,and the personol reports of seventeon Anglo-American missionaries 
and business men and ten Spanish“americans is the basis of this report. 

seventeen of the tycnty-scven who have reported, feel that there is a 
definite racial question betveon Svanish-imericans end Anglo-- -lmericans, eign 
woulc not De inclinod to cmpinasize its significance and only two feel thore is no 

rious interracial difficulsy. The Spanish-Americeans who reported are themselves 
diviced in ebout the same proportion on the subject, six out of ten feeling the 
racial question must be faced, and only one that thore is no significant feeling 
between the groups. 

Practically all agree that the situation is very little affectod by re—- 
lations betweon the Uni tec States and Mexico. One or two inéicate that the prob- 
lem of schools and cconormic conditions is made somewhat more difficult by the 
presence of Moxicen immigrants, end another indicates that difficulties result 
because the i geery take aia ens are confused in popular thinking with the Llicxicans. 
One Bere en ‘there is a more deoply sented projudice between ae Socnish-—american 
and the Olid Mexico Mexican then there is botweon the Anglo and the Spenish— 
Amcrican." Another says the comings of the Mexicen immigrant renders the problem 
a tnree sided one, since the Mexican immigrants do not identify themsclvcos with 
the Spenish-Amoricans. But imivory mony sections where there is a larger Steen 


ANerican' o0puletion there aro no Moxicrn immigrcents. They are beginninz to ne 
£0r Yollrosc work anc in industrial conters, and are, as eclsewnere, largely Vee 
Brants. The Spanish—-incricans arc generally farmers ovming their ow land, They 


get on well with those Moxicans with whom they cone into contact, through a sim 
iiarity of language and tradition, but cvidently resont being confused with thon, 
as is so often done by inzlo-~Anocriccns. 

The racial problem betvcen the Spanish—corican and the inglo~dAmerican 
ts, therefore, quito. distinct fron the goncral proble> ne relations with M ae 
and the Mexican irmtigronts. Sono think the misundorstandings eh jcealousie 
between the Spanish-inorican and Anglo-.imcrican are largoly the result of poiti 
cal rivalry and intrisuc, which always finds raco projudice a convenicnt tool 
serve its intorests. no writes of long oxpericnce in New ticxico says, "If Soe 
tisan politics were elirinated, the question vould ccase to be an issuc." Others 
Say in some sections Spore! OQ Spanish-imcrican can be eee tol orrice, and in 

other sections only an inzglo—Amcrican., ne fact that sree tne Spanisi-dnerican 
group are native-born citizens of three or four gonerntions rakes the competitive 
relations between tho two growps less one-sided than whon one group is not natu- 
ralized or is incligible to citizenship. Tho situation has many points of sim- 
larity with that in the torritory of Hawaii betweoon the nativo Hawaiians and the 
American elements in the population. 


Making all allowance possible for the exploitation of racial pre- 
ducies as a political method, there remains a ve.y general conviction among 
those who have reported that Anglo-American snoboishness, ignorance of the 
Spanish language and traditicns, shrewdness and often unfairness in dealing with 
the Spanish-Americans, and the general habit of classing them with Mexicans, are 
the causes for what is admitted to be a very considerable amount of friction be-~ 
tween the groups. Many vf the Spanish-Americans themselves admit, however, that 
the unvillingness of their people to give up the old Spanish traditions and ways 
of living, their slowness in learning English and becoming assimilated to American 
ideals, and their uncleanly habits have kiven some excuse for prejudice. It is 
admitted that the dark skin has had a good deal to do with tho development of 
prejudice, especially among the Anglo-Amcricans who came from Texes and the other 
Southern states. It is notable that in a numbor of different racial situations 
it has been obsorved that Southern projudice against Negroes has been transforred 
to any other group whose color approached that of the Negro, although the historic 
and economic relations of that group with the white group has been entirely dif- 
ferent. 

Tne historic basis for racial feeling between Spanish—Americans and Angly_ 
Americans is somewhat different from what might naturally be assumed. There is no 
reason to suppose that the Spanish—Americans resent the taking of the Southwest 
from Mexico, or have the slightest feeling for the land of their ancestors. What 
they object to is taking the land from them, when the Anglo-American traders and set— 
began to push in to "the land of poco tiempo," which they wished to proscrve in (filers 
its primitive condition. They did not want to be disturbed. Thoy aro able to 
match ell our American traditions of Spanish ruthlessness in the cccupation ne 
Mexico with traditions of American ruthlessness in the invasion of the new terri- 
tory. <Anglo-Amcricans havo been brought up to believe, through our school his— 
torics, our dime novols and now our movies, that the Spanich-speaking people are 
all crucl and treacherous bandits. The simple, polite, naturally friendly Span- 
isn~Amcrican people of Nov Mexico havo had to bear this traditional reputation. 
Noarly a hundred yoars of Anglo-American aggressiveness, always infiuonced by 
this assumption concerning the Spanish-Amorican, has tonded to produce a ccrtain 
amount of chronic distrust and bitterness. 

It is extremely significant that two or three thoughtful Spanish- 
Americans put the blame for a good deal of the present situation on the federal 
government, which ignored and neglected the Svanish-speaking inhabitants sf the 
territory of New Mexico. Indisns were always a concern of the federal govern— 
ment, but no attention was paid t> the great need of the Spanish-specking in- 
habitants for education and protection. Even today one is impressed with the 
elaborate provision by governnental and mission agencies for the care of the 
Indians of New Mexico as compared with the little that is done to help the Spa- 
ish—-Americans in their plaza toms. The state of Now Mexico is in recent years 
planning intelligently and ~ith energy in the interest of these communities ,but 
there is not doubt of tho neglicct of tho federal government from the timo of 
annexation, until, as ono Spanish—-Amcrican says, the territory "fcll into the 
hands of politicians and crooks." 

In striking contrast with the Mexican immigrant the Spanish-American 
natives of New Mexico are thoroughly loyal to the United States. Their volun— 
tary enlistments in the Sparish and World War were greater in proportion than 
among other races. Meny think the Spanish-Americans have been slov to appreciate 
the public school and some of the other institutions of American life,and ex— 
plain this by the adverse influence of the Catholic church. Some feel that their 
loyalty to American ideals is not always intelligent, sometimes znly formal, 
but it is plain that the public schools are, as everywhere, making great changes 
along this iine. 

There is wniversal agreement that the younger Spanish-American people 
are much more intelligently sympathetic with American ideals as a result of edu- 
cation in the mission schools and the public schools, by new business and social 
contacts with Anglo—Americans and to a very considerable extent by the experi- 
ences cf the World War. There is rmch reason to suppose that the state pub— 
lic school policy and the development of more business contacts between Spenish— 
Americans and Anglo-jmericans, with the training of leaders of the Spanish— 
Americans by the mission schools, will, as one correspondence says, greatly in- 
prave the situation for the next generation. 


aN 
~ © 


There is considerable difference of opinion as to the relations in 
which there is most evidence of racial feeling. Very mony think it comes out 
most definitely in polotical relations, though one discriminating writer points 
out that this feeling in polttical relations has a vackground in the differences 
of religion. Only a very few think there is mich evidence of race feeling in 
the economic field, thouzh one of the best informed men in the missionary 

group makes this the chiof source of friction. Severel of the Svanish-Americans 
indicate the most intense feoling in social relations, and practically all 
include this as one of tho major fields for the exhibition of racial foeling, 
Since differing brands of politics and religion are onl: conveniont standards 
under which to rally different racial groups, and the factor of economic com- 
petition between the groups in New Mexico does not seem to be conspicuous, 

cne should give special attention to this evident racial feeling in social re- 
lations. 

Racial feeling between Spanish-Amoricans and Anglo Americans Goes 
not appearito be a blazing hate, rather a smoldering resentment. One Spanish- 
American describes it very accurately as indifference. There are four tyges 
of racial prejudico, hatred, contompt, indifference, patronage. Hither one is 
bad enouzh. In this case there seems to be a lack of common interest to bind 
the Spanish-American and Anglo-American together rather than any ineradicable 
racial citference. The fact that the World War did so zmch to break down the 
separation and indifference indicates that there is need for a more challeng- 
ing cooperation in some common interest if the process is to so on. Unadoubdt- 
edly, the artificial barriers created by the priests greatly obstruct the 
naturel social movements which would draw the groups together. ne corres-— 
pondent laments the absence of brotherhood in the relations between Spanish- 
Americans and Anglo-Smcericans. Brotherhood is created through the sharing of 
some big social task. When the groups are prevented from cooperating, broth— 
erhnood cannot be workec up merely by religious anpeals. 

The racial vrejudice toward the Sgenish-American is generally re- 
garced as quite different from that felt toward the Negro or the Oricntal, 
though these races arco not mich in evicence in the territory occupied by 
Spanish—-Americans. It is more like thit toward the Pueblo Indians, whose 
village life has much similarity to that of the Svanish-Americans in the Plaza 
towns. In fact, the Spanish-American and the Indiaw. are in the great majority 
in the rural sections. The contacts with the fow Anglo—Americans, teachers 
end ranchers in these rural sections are more apt to be friondly, according to 
the view of most who have renvorted, then in the cities. Some think that 


7 


racial lines are more sharply drawm in the country, though ordinary contacts 
may te friendly. However, there is possible a more cormiete segregation in 
rban commnities, Bach growp can live its om life. This segregation keeps 
ial alienation. Even the business contacts that are made cause more 

n. Mere association no mattior how close, will not produce brotherliness. 
While some think it will require one or many gconerations to comlete~ 


: 


ly bridge the differences botween the Spanish-Anmericane and the Anglo-—Anerican, 


2 


one 


only a very few feel that thore are porminent racial characteristics which will 
keep them apart. The strongly opposed types of religious allegiance will long 


separate them, and some feel that the Anglo-Saxon superiority complex is a very 
stubborn disease. Several think the question of intermarriage will be a per- 
manent bar to close and sympathetic association. Aoparently the only ineradi- 
cable difference in the mind of anyone is that which makes intermarriage unde- 
sirable. But there are a good many who feel that the intermarriage of Spanish~ 
Americans end Anglo-Americans would be helpful. Thrcoe -inglo-iAmericans positively 
and two with reservations anprove of such intermarriage, six Syanish—imericans 
approve it quite positively, belicving tant those who come together in such 
riarriages are interpreters:.and peacemakers, But two young §panish—inmcrican 
students are very positive that such marriages are never helpful, and other 
Spanish-american correspondents also disaporove. By far the majority disapprove 
of intermarriage as a means of racial adjustment, though few would claim biolo- 
givel diff®rences as 2 reason, ty 


‘ 


aie 


One mission school tcacher insists on the old argument of distinct 
veces, which ought to be kept pure,— whatever racial purity may mean. Those who 
cxploin their objection refer to the social consequences, the social ostracism 
erd the tendency of the Anglo-American husband who haé married a Spanish-@imcrican 
wife to accent the less advanced stantards of living. 

Many of those who recognize a fecling of strain between Spanish 
Americans and Anglo-Ancricaas are not abdle to point to particular instances of 
unfair treetment. But one rovorts a case in which the prejudice was visitod 
even on the Angio-American teacher who tought a Snanish-American public school. 
there are several reports of Soanish-fimericans being refused service in restau- 
rants; even in Senta Fe the sigis are up "No Mexicans," though probably scareely 
one of the Spanish-speaking inhabitants of Santa Fe was born in Mexico. Spanish-— 
imerican correspondents report refusal of service in restaurants and barber shops 
discriminating in hotels and public conveyances; one Spanish-American was taken 
ov& of ae theatre at the point of a pistol and one was lynched in Colorado. Most 
af these cases seom to hare occurred from outside of New Mexico, where the Syan- 
ishvAmcricans have not beon distinguished from the Mexicans. 

In the Spanish-speaking plaze. toms men have been paid with fake checks 
and have been heavily overcharged for professional services. In the southeastern 
section of Colorado large tracts of land occupied for generations by Spcanish—- 
americans has been seized by large companies. Sprnish-Americans have been syste~ 
matically defrauced by Anglo-Amcrican warehousemen wien they brought in their 
lettuce crop in one section of Colorado. In many ways théy are taken advantage 
of in cormercial transactions, just as the Indians have been. But they have lacked 
even the dubious advantage of zovernment protection which the Indians are supdosad 
to nave had. Union labor has opposed the Snanish—American labor the same as the 
ilexicans Probaoly the largest nurber of instances of unfair treatrent toward 
eitucer racial group can be found in political life, and probably many cases on 
ra sice. It is unfortunato but not necessarily a serious racial problem wher, 
emorarily at least, racial groups are aligned ageinst..ecach other in politics. 
vib 4 Ba ty can be overcomes mmch more easily than sortie others. 

The instances of personal prejudice against Spanish-Americans evon in 
churches are the most serious consideration. Two splencid rission schools re~ 
port objection to the presence of their pupils in the Anglo-American churches. 
Whatever may be said 1s to the desirability of separate Spanish-American churches 
to give opportunity for spiritual expression and development onc ought to be able 
to expect in the churches a welcome to those who have chosen to accept the church's 
invitasion to its mission schools. 

One Spenish-American reminds us that Now Mexico sided with the Union in 
the Civil War and the Spanish-American inhabitants drove out thd Confederates. 

He thinks the southerners have not forgotten that, as he has not. And yet, sone 
people think the Snunish-Arcricans end the Mexican peasants know nothing and care 
nothing about history. 

Analyzing the attitudes of Spanish-Amcricans and .inglo-Americans nost 
of those who have reported find that the Spanish—Anerican vould de friendly if 
it were not for the evident suvoriority attitude of the Anglo-Anericans. Some 

penish-Amcricans say they agpreciate what the Anglo-Arericens havo accomplished 
for the development of the country, but are inclined to be onvinus. Others re- 
Zuso to admit the superiority which the Anzlo-—Amorican assures, and adopt a 
policy of passive resistance, 

One writer analyses the situation in this way: "The Anglo works too 
nerd, loves noney too such and plays too little. The other goes to the other 
extreme, verhaps, but can teach us something about enjoying simple inexpensive 
Dlonsures. Me meditates and reflects more than the dnglo, is more artistic has 
% greater inherent love of beauty. hese qualities if developed properly are 
ver, valuable. In educetion the Syenish-American should not de run. through the 
gare mill and be made exactly like us, The Spanish-American must learn american 
ideals of government, of office holding, freedom of opinion and speoch, of reli- 
gious life, etc. In that respect he ms% conform to Anzlo notions. In other 
respects the best education for hin is one which will allow hin to grow as far 
=S he can according to his abilities. His racial heritage after 211 makes hin 
so-owhat different from the Anglo." This is certainly not an idealistic mission~ 
ary presentation of the situation, but probably represents the fecling of neny 
xinculy—~intentioned Anglo Americans. 


mie 


In ‘some rospects tho situntion of tho PN ace Acedl oats in We Moxico 

and Colorado A aes Bree of the southern mountaincors of Kentucky and Tennessee 
hey aro almost as rosoentfvl of the aggressivoness of outsidors coming into 

thoir country, and fobs Pence assarmtion of thoso outsiders that motcrial pros- 

pority moens superiority. Wow Mexico has been captured corpletoly by the out~ 
sidors as the southorn mountains have net btecn, and probavly the adjustment be- 
tween these diverse vic point s has progrossod fartner in Now Moxico, If it 

wore not for oa particulariy intolorant religious control of the Epanish—Ancrican 

group and a rathor oxcentional seen a of superstition, tho prospects of assimi-~ 

lation would be mach more encouraging. At present there scons to be little 

real cooperation betiveon tho tro ee Oa gestoat-deal of political and 
roligious competition. The netabio progress that has boon mado in tae dovelop~ 
mont of education and general social conditions appcars to bo in spite of much 

intorgroup friction. No roports have been roccived of any notable cooperation 

betwaon the groups for the advanconment of the general or local corrmnity. 

When it comes to a question of solution for theaiocal problen of male 
adjustment between Anglo-Ancricans and Spanish-lniericans most of those who have 
reported very properly insist on education ané Christianity. Some have made 
really helpful sugeestions PRN, Seek eh eee montioning applications of cducation 
and Christianity in concrete plans. <A Spanish-—incrican very wisely suggests 
tenching of Spanish to Ang ee ricons, lectures in the schools and tho churches 
on friendship between tho recos, nnd oa puolic opinion which would: condern.the 
mutual criticism between the groups in muolic aati aea: especially by politi- 
Clans wno keep the prejucice Bay? for their solfishn gains. Although tho con- 
stitution of Now Mexico forbids discrimination oazgeinst Epanish-Ancricans, yet 
fow Spanish-Arioricen students 25 through the hizh schools ond the univorsity. 
They should bo oncouregod to take higher training as loaders of their people. 
Soveral insist on religious firecdom and tolerance as a condition of the solu- 
tion. There is little doubt that religious intolerance uses racial attitudes as 
& means of mointaining its Cominance, VWhile Spanish a8 used in the public 
schools of certain sections of Nev Mexico and priests tought the catechism in 
the public schools during school hours, there res sure td be ravial friction, 

A very practical ond sizmic mothod is being used in ono of the mission bocrding 
schools end is being considered in othors, the mingling of o smnll proportion of 
Anslo-American children with tho SpanishsAmorican children in tho clomontary 
grades. This works in the public schools, Why shovid it not bo even more effeocy 
tive in the home life of a mission boarding school? 

One missionary toacher says frankly that the Spanish-imcrican must bo 
given higher moral and sanitary standards. If the priests who dominate the life 
of tho Spaniah-Amcrican communities do not holp them to these highor sta andards, 
the state government can do so in mony ways, by bettcr enforcemont of ee a 
tion, better health regulations and aA. odvention and control in the matter of 
sex relations. It is evident that progress along all these lines will be stime- 
lated and encouraged by the intelligent cooperation of a1] missionsry toachers 
with the departments concerned of the state govornment. 

This report is not suposed to consider the contribution of missionary 
schools to the adjustmont of race rolations between Spenish—American ond Anglo~ 
Americans in New Mexico and the assimilation into a homogoneous community of 
these two cultural or racial groups. One can hardly say that this contribution 
has been as great as night have boon hoped. However, tho combination of direct 
missionary agencies with a growingly conscientious public spirit in the admin- 
istration of justice and tho care of public health and tho promotion of on 
Ancrican type of educatien has made it possible to foresce in New tioxico a com 
paratively speedy and satisfactory ending of the present racial friction and 
misunderstanding. 


», 2 4 ; s 
i 
t 
i k 
. | hale 
’ 
‘ 













i wt t : hk ee 

~~ @ P * dl " rk 
wre ern tS » “~ we Vere ve 

a A ae = ph we ~ ae as phe rable | eign eee Tad 


‘ ~ a“ ® we * as -* 
‘ 4 . DY ie a 
Ce ad IT 4 ah sh : Rorbsy bh gars cal s ) re a 





Stele at oe oe Ve ee SES 
ai a APT: Fo CAL “vey 4 ene rs Lit , 


“o th 
4 £3) i cs 





y Prk A 
P ~ Sy J Yr i , bal 
wg by Sa ektias fe Yous 
ae ln th 7] oe YM 
ie LGN Deeranh £1 Suet Sh 
ae & ) es 
‘ 4 ar wld 
¥¢ 4 


eck ny Pome AANN YS ye ca, Fee oy ee 
ee a oe 

Pete ere a. Soy, 
pe Bien Set Sait, my! ee 








‘ ‘ 
aby di i 


R dime th 
















rt uh 9 y j ba 1 
along Mn ee ek 
rr 3 rake AE eee hao 


Selemaagie tty 
* t » 





~ 


ye 
in & 
f. i YE 
a 
~ 
te, BO ay Cet 






wh O Teh REA eee we 





iy 
nye eg ite eae 
Stee Wa 











A, 







MPG ERT | 












iM 4 
hat TE ce a ae) 1 Lon ea 
wn flO Ge, tee aC Bn 





* mee va hex ree ty ell? 
Va ee ee en 
: aad 


i PAE edd oa 
Fa Basalt Litied 


a vn vers aL aes f+ se 
e WAN wey vy Peedale a fornte 7 ee 


dye! re pied 






- 4 , . r 9 4 ta Yc 
Para a ae ite Sabie i i q ie 1s Z 
ging Me! poet Nes re yy ‘ : sb ates ted Lb : z ae ( ( we ean 


Br aAld eich 
LA dad ik Sak | ~ 4 
Pe Mend yatta ale Lag ath awit ee] 












¥ 
Any an h 
et Ui Pi pie i 










Laat 


rele 






















































e ‘ O ry A vs 
te VI pay etary rtalgeie os! Nadiad ie 00 Be 
x yf? iret 
Pea ak aac pay Ninis eer ich 
eRMEEN Me: RAGUES CuLMLNA 87 eh. ; 
Nea ise oo Be ya 
UEC wits ay ke | 
4 * wank arg i i 5 a 
lp tate ee tak ot RE ae 9) it 
pee R eT ark HAR Ss Me RASA 
h ai pak weigh icky alepp KT IRN hanks code rr cae all poi NL TAS ARM 
big itonctery its abortesegeneiy tate 
ai bites! ohtal va fiend wey a dep pe 
ey ais ery : aha ‘ aan NA ede eh We the DA a 
aad iy wp a ayy a 
male pale SAU Nas i lls Cdn bat Melee ean: ea ok ROU 
mea ey ae 8 Mae IN mia Cr 
A > or in : ¢ { 
A) A ab d OR 
Pe a ee me re eee ee 
5 ae el) Chane Fo Ap ae: aie oe 
Z 4 ip! Cam Way (rere 
he . Va ad Pen! 4 as | 
4 es al OT mi W dank bah Pale to vibes 
‘ x fey eae: bi Whe tem ie iiaes F 
id SP ome agg lon anes RN eyed Ad re 
PO SAA ret Laan Rb AA A Sy mv 
we? ye dey Nae 9 me ae a spol anid : } ' 
: gi roware® od. aimee: ak einer BSR RO ACE Sa REE Sli 
. i) ae ere : b pha ” A Aol i, 4 ‘ oh) i 0) 
CAavgnne la aon | ee Mat ei MM 
“g it te ‘ } ( oe es Ate df ; p BAW PEE 
ATS AL aR aK BA yay’ aps pt bon i 
o ar A ie i m, ® ri m™ wm ipils 
SNe y 
| exis 
4 
Me 
r is oY 
A Si r 
‘ j j rae! 
‘ 
ad ‘ 


